Ibrahima Konate makes Liverpool contract announcement pledge

One of the issues threatening to overshadow Liverpool's season is the future of Ibrahima Konate.

The defender has been at Anfield since 2021 - joining on a £35m deal from RB Leipzig.

Having taken his time to become established in the lineup, last season the Frenchman excelled in partnership with Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool won the Premier League title under Arne Slot during the Dutchman's first season in charge - with Konate and Van Dijk providing the bedrock for that trophy win.

However the timing of Konate's contract expiry could not be much worse for sporting director Richard Hughes.

Konate out of contract in 2026

The 26-year-old is only contracted until the end of the season - and the club risk losing him for free if no breakthrough is made.

Konate is currently reported to earn around £140k per week - with his demands said to be over the £200k per week mark.

And if Liverpool don't manage to secure the stopper on a new deal then there will be no shortage of suitors.

He is entitled to speak to potentially interested overseas clubs as soon as January - with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all said to be interested.

Liverpool plan new deal for Konate

Therefore the onus is on Liverpool to get a deal over the line as soon as possible.

Reds fans were encouraged last week by reports that a new offer was in the process of being submitted to the France international - who faces Azerbaijan in FIFA World Cup qualifying on Sunday.

But just as the contract crisis seemed to be edging towards a favourable conclusion, Konate has spoken out.

He insists no offer has yet been received. And the centre-back also claims that an announcement on his future plans will be made soon.

Konate says no offer made

"I've seen a lot of things," he said according to RMC Sport. "Liverpool have reportedly made me a new offer, I don't know where that information came from... My agents are still in discussions with Liverpool.

"I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it."

That Konate is still in talks with the club can be taken as a good sign. Now it's all about reaching a compromise over a new deal.

Although Konate's form hasn't been great this season, he is still a well-established Premier League and Champions League performer.

But if no agreement is to be struck then we can expect the club to chase other central defensive targets. Nico Schlotterbeck and Ronald Araujo are two names linked - while Alessandro Bastoni could also emerge as a target.

Either way it looks like we are heading towards the endgame for Konate. Let's hope the talks turn out positively for Liverpool.

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